When Rob Syms was born in 1978, doctors told his parents to enjoy the short time they have with him. Born with a severe congenital heart defect – multiple holes in the walls of his heart – Rob wasn’t expected to live past infancy.
His parents were told he would likely only survive six months. But Rob’s mother refused to accept that fate. At just five months old, he underwent his first open-heart surgery. He then had a second surgery at five years old to patch 13 holes in his heart.
“My earliest memory of childhood,” Rob recalls, “was being in the hospital after surgery.”
Those early years shaped everything that came after. Constantly in and out of the hospital, Rob’s childhood was sheltered and focused on survival. “I didn’t even learn to ride a bike until I was 14,” Rob said with a laugh. But through those years, Rob began to see something powerful. He noticed the difference between care given with compassion and care without it. That contrast would stay with him for life and would eventually define Rob’s purpose. But before he found his calling, his path was far from easy.
The road to recovery
As a teenager, Rob’s life took a dark turn – his parents divorced, and he began experimenting with drugs and alcohol. By Grade 9, he nearly died from an overdose, and in his twenties, heavy drinking consumed his life. Everything started to change when he met Cynthia and they began dating. She saw the best in him even when he couldn’t, and when she told him, she thought about leaving “every time you drink,” Rob knew he had to quit.
With Cynthia’s support and his commitment to faith, Rob found the strength to begin the path to recovery. He quit 23 years ago, a decision he credits to God and the love of the woman who would later become his wife. Today, he calls his sobriety one of his proudest accomplishments.
“When you find things that you love and things that bring you joy, why would I not cling to that? I’m going to do whatever it takes.”
Finding purpose in the heart of care
Rob began volunteering at an extended care home and later at Abbotsford Regional Hospital. “That’s where I discovered my passion for cardiology,” he said. “I was always a bit of a heart geek.”
He decided to go back to school, enrolling in the Cardiology Technology program at Stenberg College. While there, Rob met many individuals who slowly helped him gain confidence in himself and his abilities. It was also where he was offered the opportunity to speak to different student groups about compassionate care and what that looks like in practice. He called it the Compassion Initiative.
But even as he thrived academically, Rob quietly battled anxiety through much of his program. When he was nominated for the Student of the Year award, he was taken completely by surprise. The faculty saw in Rob something he couldn’t yet see in himself – a leader defined not by perfection, but by perseverance, empathy and heart. Their belief in him gave him the courage to apply.
A new chapter at Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre
Today, Rob works as a Cardiology Technologist at the Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre (JPOCSC), where he performs diagnostic tests such as electrocardiograms (ECGs) and stress tests, helping cardiologists assess and treat patients with precision and care.
“We have a great team,” he said. “These guys are my work family. I love my time with them. I try to lead with appreciation – just by putting myself out there and giving my best.”
Rob sees dozens of patients a day, often interacting with 40 to 60 people during a single shift. For him though, it’s not about the numbers.
“I can’t control the big clinical decisions,” he explained. “But I can control the care I give in those 5 to 20 minutes I see patients. The least I can do is provide the best care that I would want in return.”
Rob is known among patients and colleagues alike for his warmth, empathy, and ability to connect. For him, every patient is more than a test or a chart – they are a person with fears, stories, and families of their own.
“I just love humanity. I love people, and I’m going to offer love and compassion.”
These aren’t just words for him. They are the foundation of how he practices care every single day, and to do that at JPOCSC is a dream, which he has celebrated by designing his own hoodie. “This is me,” he said. “It’s a reminder of why I do what I do.”
Powered by compassion and community
Stories like Rob’s remind us that advanced care isn’t possible without both heart and innovation and that’s where donors in partnership with health care professionals make all the difference.
“Having been both a patient and someone who works in diagnostic cardiology, I understand the hope that a new catheterization lab brings to the city of Surrey. This new lab represents a brighter, healthier future by lowering wait times for everyone in our community.”
Donor support helps fund new equipment and technology that cardiac teams rely on to save lives and provide the highest quality of care. It ensures that skilled professionals like Rob have the tools they need to deliver compassion and precision every single day.
From a child fighting for his life to a health care professional helping others do the same, Rob’s journey is a testament to resilience, faith and the power of compassion.
Want to read more about the opening of the cardiac cath labs in Surrey? Click here.
